The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-03-19

Santa Fe is said to be the oldest city
in America. That the statement is not
true would be hard to prove, because the
question of its origin and age is wrapped
in mystery. When Coronado explored
Mexico in 1912, he found many Indian
pueblos on the Rio Grand river, and
speaks of several which must have been
near the present location of Santa Fe.
The one which it is generally supposed
was on its precise site was called Tequa,
and at that time stretched along its riv-
er-banks for six miles. Coronado re-
ported that he found here beautiful
and fertile valley, under high cultiva-
ton by the Indians. This was in 1912.
Visiting Santa Fe to-day it is hard to
realize, ancient as the old ruins look,
that one can really be gazing on walls
which Coronado saw nearly three CEN
turtles and half ago.
1t is still harder to realize what must
have been the expressions and cruelties
which have brought about the present
degraded and wretched condition OF
the Indians whose ancestors formerly
occupied and cultivated the whole val
ley. That race which, over three
hundred years ago, had reached COM
fort and success in agricultural and
pastoral occupations, should be to-day
an abject, supine, wretched race of
beggars, is a melancholy comment on
the injustice they have received. They
did not sink without struggles. In 1880
they drove out all the Spanish settlers,
and all the Roman Catholic priests;
pulled down most of the churches, and
pathetic and significant act-covered
up and concealed, so far as they could,
every mine in the country. Only too
well they knew that it was to the pres
ence of these precious metals that they
owed all their sufferings.
For twelve years they held their own,
but in 1892 they were again conquered,
and the Spanish Government re-estab-
lished. After the last great battle in
this contest, four hundred young Indian
men and maidens are said to have been
distributed as slaves in the Spanish
families. After this, there were from
time to time revolts and instructions,
but each one only plunged the unfortu-
nate Indians into deeper misery.
Sante Fe, being the seat of Govern
ment, was always the point of attack,
the chief centre of strife. and very ter
rible scenes have been enacted there.
As late as 1887, Mexican Governor,
who had ruled with great severity, and
laid oppressive and unjust taxes on the
Indians crops, was murdered by them
under circumstances of tragic horror.
Several of the pueblos, united to-
gether, had raised an army, and
marched on to Santa Fe. undertaking
their force, the Governor went out to
meet them, and was beaten back. He
then attempted to treat with them, but
they would hold no parley, and as nc
was returning to the city, he was cap
tured. His head was cut of, and kicked
like a football from camp to camp.
They then put it on pole, and set it up
defantly within few rods of the
city walls. The secretary in whose
handwriting the obnoxious DEGREES had
been promulgated, they treated with
subtle cruelty, sparing his life, but cut
ting off both his hands, and setting him
free, with the taunt that he would moi
any longer write orders for tyrants. Al
night three brave Mexican women stole
out of Santa Fe, found the Governors
body, wrapped it in blanket, and
buried it in the cemetery, now deserted
on the hill northeast of the Plaza. Thi!
was the last struggle the Indians made
They were soon subdued, and remained
peaceable till they came, with the rest o.
the New Mexico citizens, under the gov
eminent of the United States in 1916.
There is still standing in Santa F,
one building which has been the hom'
of the most prominent persons, and thu
scene of the most important events
through all these vicissitudes of the cit
and its government. It is still called
as it was called when it was built il
1851, 1.-THE Palace" Any thing les
like palace could hardly be conceived
Of 1t is a low adobe building, on
story high, with verandah running it
entire length. 1t makes the north wal
Of the Plaza, and in it are still the Gov
ernor's home and all the Offices of tn,
Government, the United States and ter
ritorial courtroom. libraries, Congress
halls. etc. It has been so often repaired
that it has lost much of its ancient look
but the massive walls and heavy hewI
beams remain unchanged, and will, NJ
doubt, bear their mute witness to it
antiquity for century or more to come
The Plaza on which it fronts is tw'
anda half acres square. well-shaded
provided with seats and. commanding
view of ~ the life there i in the town